Bryson teachers undergoing training, board talks dual credit

BRYSON – Many teachers are learning how to give their own tests much like what the TEKS test is given, trying to understand what they want.

Training to be given by Region 9 next month will help teachers to just that. Three teachers from the school, one from elementary, junior high and high school, will learn how to analyze data and to make their test questions more like what is being given on the State Assessment on the test assessment, according to Superintendent Greg London.

In what is called Data Driven Instruction, this training will make teachers more aware as to what is being taught on the test and make the teachers better and students better as well by making them more aware.

“Students and teachers will be assessing, analyzing and taking action around six times a year,” London explained. “It should take students about a year or so to be able to test and assess confidently with the new procedures.”

In other news, school officials are looking into dual credit testing, but they want to make sure the right kids are using and taking advantage of the opportunity.

The board is willing to pay for some of the testing and classes but want to make sure the right kids are taking it. Board Vice President Travis Thorne said students may be less willing to try it if they’re not getting financial support.

Thorne said that students learning to study on their own time and possibly find a friend with the same course so they could study together could eventually increase the number of students going to college or trade school

“We don’t want kids to graduate from here and not know how to study on their own time,” Thorne said.

Board President T-Bob Hauger said the families should get their monies back if the student is at least trying but finding that maybe college is not for them. To be eligible, students must pass the TSI test, which isn’t easy, London explained.

Bryson is trying to expand its dual credit program with Weatherford College and possibly North Central Texas College but is finding a lack of interest.